Genealogy has become a hobby for me over the last 10 years. For me, it's like a puzzle, I love fitting the pieces together. But over the years, I've researched a lot that does not pertain to our family lines. Some for extended family, some for close friends, and some because I was trying to rule out lines to figure out where our line went exactly. I do not want these notes on my Heather's Genealogy Notes blog - because they are not our lines. But I do like to share all of my research, in case it benefits others. That is what this blog is for - research I have done that does not apply to our own family lines, but may be helpful for someone else.

From the family bible: 1781, Feb. 28, died the wife of Johannes Dunckel. Her name was Anna Margaret Dunckel. She brought her life to seventy years, three months and five days. They lived together in matrimony fifty five years, three months and some days.

Emigration- 1730

Age: 27

He brought with him on the Ship Thistle in 1730 his wife, Anna Margaret (Diehl) Dunkel, his mother, Elizabeth Rosina (Diehl) Dunkel, and at least one son, Michael Dunkel, who was born 1725 in Germany. Johannes was naturalized 24 Sep 1741 in Philadelphia

Rotterdam, Netherlands via Cowes, England to Philadelphia

Some researchers have theorized that Hans Jacob Dohl is Hans Jacob Diehl, father of Anna Margaret. Others list her father as Michael Diehl. At this time, I have no information in either direction. "Anna's father Hans Jacob Diehl arrived on the ship "Thistle". Listed on passenger list as "Hans Jacob Dohl" " & "Johannes Dunkel arrived on the ship "Thistle" in Philadelphia on 29 AUG 1730, along with his family and his wife's parents, Hans Jacob & Anna Elisabetha Diehl. He signed one of the loyalty oaths next to Hans Jacob Diehl. (See Strassburger & Hinke, PA German Pioneers, lists #11A, B, & C) "Note that this is NOT "Hans Simon Jacob Diehl" as some have stated - Simon Jacob "Simon Jacob Diehl immigrated 24 Sept, 1742 on the ship Robert & Alice to Philadelphia, Pa"

Ship Thistle

DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA - PORT OF PHILADELPHIA

Colin Dunlap, Master, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes.

Arrived in Philadelphia, PA., on 29 Aug. 1730

Palatines with their families, two hundred and sixty persons, imported.

1 Valentin Grisemer

2 Johannes Dunckel

3 Christof Batter

4 Christian Leman

5 Jeremias Hes

6 Joh. Georg Ludwig Hass

7 Bernhart Siegmund

8 Hans Jacob Dohl

9 Johan Peter Ohller

10 Johan Henrich Schmidt

11 Caspar Fiehman

12 Steven Remer

13 Rudolph Draugh

14 Johannes Kun

15 William Keim

16 Ludwick Delman

17 Gerhart Zinn

18 Hans Menigh

19 Nichol Fiser

20 Johan Zwinger

21 Jacob Nagel

22 Ulrich Scherer

23 Philip Groscost

24 Casper Bittner

25* Nickel Cunter

26 Johannes Scherer

27 Johannes Haus

28 Philip Hautz

29 Lorentz Hoff

30 Thomas Hamma

31 Jacob Stiffel

32 Wolfer Sperger

33 Ulrich Steyner

34 Thomas Hes

35 Henrich Hes

36 Hendrich Gutt

37 Caspar Krieger

38 Jean Henri Fortineauz

39 Christoph Anckenbrant

40 Frederich Reimer

41 Peter Beswanger

42 Johan Caspar Schmidt

43* Johan Paulus Duttenhoffer

44 Johan Augustus Scherrer

45 Hans Georg Hofman

46 Abraham Transu

47 Casper Hartman

48 Christian Shram

49* Leonhart Kopplinger

50 Rudolp Andreas

51 Frederick Peifer

52 Johannes Kepplinger

53 Felte Meidelman

54 Dietrich Beidelman

55 Elias Meidelman

56 Jacob Ammon

57 Johan Nickel Lukenbell

58 Hans Simon Mey

59* Henrich Lukebill

60 Ludwig Mohler

61* Lonhart Hochgenug

62 Peter Federolff

63* Peter Muller

64 Friederich Lienberger

65 Peter Frawiener

66 Bernhard Renn

Arrival - 1730

Age: 27

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

He brought with him on the Ship Thistle in 1730 his wife, Anna Margaret (Diehl) Dunkel, his mother, Elizabeth Rosina (Diehl) Dunkel, and at least one son, Michael Dunkel, who was born 1725 in Germany.

The family settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. On 6 Dec 1746 he purchased 125 acres of land from Conrad Koch

Residence- 1761 10 Aug

Age: 57

1761. Aug.10., I, Johannes Dunckel, did move to the Mill House.

Wife Anna Margaret Died - 1781 28 Feb

Age: 77

1781, Feb. 28, died the wife of Johannes Dunckel. Her name was Anna Margaret Dunckel. She brought her life to seventy years, three months and five days. They lived together in matrimony fifty five years, three months and some days.

Marriage to Anna Catherina - 1781 3 Sep

Age: 77

1781 Sept. 3., I, Johannes Dunckel, took a wife. her name is Catharine Dunkel.

There seems to be a great deal of controversy over whether or not this was "Anna Catherine Leiby", or not. Many researchers list her as such, and just as many more list Catherine Leiby as the wife of Peter Dunckel instead. The Dunckel bible tells us of Jacob's marriage to an Anna Catherine:

1781 Sept. 3., I, Johannes Dunckel, took a wife. her name is Catharine Dunkel.

The next entry in the bible is of the death of Jacob:

Today November the 23rd. 1787 died Johannes Dunckel. His age was eighty four years, one month and thirteen days. He had lived in Matrimony with his last wife five years. Her name was Anna Catharina.

following his death, the bible was given to his son Peter (from Jacob's will - Firstly I,John Dunckel promise to my son Peter Dunckel the large Bible), and the next entry is of Peter's death:

1793 died 28th of November the old Peter Dunkel. And brought his life on this world to fifty nine years and ten months. He lived with his wife Maria Catharina in Matrimony thirty years and six months. Text: Isaiah 38. Chapter, Verse 1: Set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live.

Following that is the entry that seems to have caused the confusion. While Catharina could refer to either wife, because of the similar style, and the scripture given, I believe this does refer to Peter's wife. This would make her birth date around 1738, which is accurate for Catherine Leiby. Since it also appears, from the will, that the children did not approve of Jacob's second wife, I think it is more likely that Peter's wife is recorded in the bible, than Jacob's Catherine. Without marriage records, I simply do not know who either man married.

March the 8, 1818 died Catharina Dunkel. She brought her life up to 80 years. Text: 2nd Timothy 1st Chapter, Verse 12: For which cause I also suffer these things, nevertheless I am not ashamed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Residence - 1781

Age: 78

Maidencreek, Berks, Pennsylvania

Death - 1787 23 Nov

Age: 84

Greenwich, Berks, PA, USA

Age: 84 Today November the 23rd. 1787 died Johannes Dunckel. His age was eighty four years, one month and thirteen days. He had lived in Matrimony with his last wife five years. Her name was Anna Catharina.

Burial

Lenhartsville, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA

In Memory Of

Peter Dunckel

Born Jan 28 1734

Died Nov 28 1793

son of

Johannes Dunckel

Born Oct 10 1703

Died Nov 23 1787

and Anna Margaret

Born Nov 23 1703

Died Feb 28 1781

and grand son of

Elizabeth Dunckel

Born Sept 19 1677

Died Dec 24 1767

His ancestors immigrated from

Germany Aug 29 1750 and

homesteaded about 800 yards

west from here in 1746 and are

buried on the adjacent ground

in unmarked graves, his body

lays beneath this stone

he was the father of John,

Jacob, Peter, Michael

Catherine Reinhart

Elizabeth Seidler, Eva

Seyler and Rosina Seyler

erected by Samuel L. Dunkle

descendent

Scan of the will in German:

The Will of Johannes Jacob Dunckel Dated the 23rd December 1783In the name of God AmenI, John Dunckel have made my last Will and in namely as follows, Firstly I,John Dunckel promise to my son Peter Dunckel the large Bible, and the PipeStove together with the pipe and foot after my decease, beforehand, and Peter Dunckel shall then share with his brothers and sisters of what remains of moveable effects or housefurinture.Secondly, Rosina Adams shall have the clock with the clock case beforehand,and then share again with other brothers and sisters of what remains or housefurniture after my death, and Peter Dunckel and Anthony Adam shall be Executors of the Effects, or Housefurniture after my Death, and eight days after my death, Peter Dunckel and Anthony Adam shall let the Brothers and Sisters come together and speak with them in peace.If they so agree, then they shall in four weeks after my death, distribute in equal shares but if that cannot be done, then shall these both have power to make vandue and pay the debts what will be made, and then shall they distribute what remains in equal shares among them, but if there is one that undertakes to oppose my Wife that I have married her, because I have promised her to inherit Fifty Pounds after my Death, shall one be excluded, Son or Daughter, or Son in law, he shall inherit nothing of my effects or Housefurinture. If there is one, he shall be excluded and shall be distributed in five shares, If there be another, then he have nothing, and shall be distributed in four shares. If there be another, then shall be distributed in three shares. If there be another, then shall be distributed in two shares. If there be another, then shall be distributed in one share. If they are all found, then none shall inherit and my wife shall inherit all beforehand, when the debts are paid, but bonds and notes that I have shall be distributed in equal shares.Lastly my Wife Anna Catharine Dunckel brought a hog to me when I married her, so shall both the Executors, Anthony Adam and Peter Dunckel, Executors,you shall give my wife Catharina Dunckel after my Death, two bushels ofwheat and two bushels of Rye (unreadable) and the meal remaining shalllikewise be her's and she shall have the chose of two hogs.And I, John Dunckel have made my last Will by good understanding Witness,we together with our Names.(Unreadable) Baunm Frederick Leiby John Dunckel Seal

Inventory of all and singular the goods and chattels of John Duckle late of Greenwich Township in Berks Count deceased. Taken and appraised by the subscribers the fourteenth day of December 1787

Registors office at Reading in Berks County Dated 10th 1787 appeared Frederick Leiby one of the Subscibing witnesses to the forgoing Will and upon his solemn oath did depose & swear that he together with John Christian Baum the other subscribing witness to the said will (who as it said is very old and infirm and unable to appear) was present and did see John Dunckel the testator therein named sign seal promote publish & declare the within and above writing to be his last will and testament and that at the time of doing thereof he was of sound mind memory and understanding as he verily believes and that he did John Christian Baum subscribe his name there to as a witness and that the name of said desponent subscribed thereto as a witness is of said desponant own proper hand writing. Done in the presents of each other at the Requests and in the presence of the said Testators.

1767, Dec. 24, died my mother. Her name was Elizabeth. She arrived an age at 90 years, 3 months, 5 days.

1781, Feb. 28, died the wife of Johannes Dunckel. Her name was Anna Margaret Dunckel. She brought her life to seventy years, three months and five days. They lived together in matrimony fifty five years, three months and some days.

1781 Sept. 3., I, Johannes Dunckel, took a wife. her name is Catharine Dunkel.

Today November the 23rd. 1787 died Johannes Dunckel. His age was eighty four years, one month and thirteen days. He had lived in Matrimony with his last wife five years. Her name was Anna Catharina.

1793 died 28th of November the old Peter Dunkel. And brought his life on this world to fifty nine years and ten months. He lived with his wife Maria Catharina in Matrimony thirty years and six months. Text: Isaiah 38. Chapter, Verse 1: Set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live.

March the 8, 1818 died Catharina Dunkel. She brought her life up to 80 years. Text: 2nd Timothy 1st Chapter, Verse 12: For which cause I also suffer these things, nevertheless I am not ashamed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.